This time I am training months of Jan, Feb and March- quite the opposite of my last race that involved training in July, August and September. I have learned to enjoy a good bundled up run covering my ears and having lots of sweat with red cheeks after. But last night I could not bear the cold and had to surrender to running on the treadmill amidst the Georgetown gym fashion show of beautiful runners. Its hard not to compare yourself, sometime I find it healthy like maybe I want to have better form then the girl next to me. Sometimes it can be annoying casue I think wow they look good I want that outfit too.. when the last thing I need is another pair of lululemon pants.
Last night was a prefect example of running to train vs. running for fun/weight loss. I stalled at home for about an hour with my husband contemplating running inside or out- complaining about my tight hamstrings and fighting the urge to just watch TV and eat all night long. But I know I have to train to do this race and all of the reasons are not good enough reasons to make my Thursday run into a " I just didn't feel like it" night. This is when the fire inside comes out of me. Putting on my clothes, and hitting the treadmill with the only motivation
( if you can even all it motivation) is to bang out this training run. Of course I was tempted to walk but I didn't I ran and I was proud. To run to train is really what the joy of training is. In the cold or summer it takes you to another level of pushing yourself to do things you do not have the desire to do.
After my run I had my yummy protein shake, took over the couch and had a great night with my husband. It was simple and hard to picture if I hadn't went for my run because I realize I can have both - training, time with my husband, food and of course all the time for TV.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
13.1 for 2012
The distance:
Its been 3 months after my last post and 4 months after my race- and time to reconnect with running chatter. The fall and holidays were a great time of "not" training and having lots of time with J has he was off after his knee surgery. We went on lots of trips to NY, Boston, West Virginia and really got to enjoy lazy weekend mornings and holiday festivities. I ran here and there as I wished, focused more on learning to accept that while I may have ran over 13 miles, I am not able to walk out the door and run 13 miles as I please. I have to train and I have to train for a race to build my body up for 13 miles. There were a few runs where I felt un motivated so I maybe didn't run as much, or maybe I ran just to be social with a friend. It was nice not having the intensity of training yet I still want to run 13 miles again.
The solution:
I am running the DC Half Marathon on March 17th. Not only am I able to train again, I am training my good friend Kelly. Training started today and will be for 8 weeks. I also registered for the NYC marathon, but won't know if I get in until April. I shall see about that one... hopefully all goes well training for this race.
The experience:
Lots has happened in my life in the past 3 months. I learned that I am stronger than I thought I was and was able to feel and live through some tough emotions. I also found that my gratitude is genuine and I have so much love for life and my life with my husband. We planned trips for 2012 and have future hopes and dreams I never would have dreamed. While running in January is an experience its been quite enjoyable. I had my first flat face down fall a few weeks ago when I bruised and cut up my knee and hand ( still recovering). I ran with snow on the ground and over the icy key bridge. I ran with J has he trains for job interviews. I ran the way I love to - with believing and trusting my body to do what I know it can do.
The goal:
Run all my training runs to the best of my ability. Enjoy new yoga studios, maybe start swimming and enjoy good food as always. Love my body and love myself. Keep blogging my running chatter.
Its been 3 months after my last post and 4 months after my race- and time to reconnect with running chatter. The fall and holidays were a great time of "not" training and having lots of time with J has he was off after his knee surgery. We went on lots of trips to NY, Boston, West Virginia and really got to enjoy lazy weekend mornings and holiday festivities. I ran here and there as I wished, focused more on learning to accept that while I may have ran over 13 miles, I am not able to walk out the door and run 13 miles as I please. I have to train and I have to train for a race to build my body up for 13 miles. There were a few runs where I felt un motivated so I maybe didn't run as much, or maybe I ran just to be social with a friend. It was nice not having the intensity of training yet I still want to run 13 miles again.
The solution:
I am running the DC Half Marathon on March 17th. Not only am I able to train again, I am training my good friend Kelly. Training started today and will be for 8 weeks. I also registered for the NYC marathon, but won't know if I get in until April. I shall see about that one... hopefully all goes well training for this race.
The experience:
Lots has happened in my life in the past 3 months. I learned that I am stronger than I thought I was and was able to feel and live through some tough emotions. I also found that my gratitude is genuine and I have so much love for life and my life with my husband. We planned trips for 2012 and have future hopes and dreams I never would have dreamed. While running in January is an experience its been quite enjoyable. I had my first flat face down fall a few weeks ago when I bruised and cut up my knee and hand ( still recovering). I ran with snow on the ground and over the icy key bridge. I ran with J has he trains for job interviews. I ran the way I love to - with believing and trusting my body to do what I know it can do.
The goal:
Run all my training runs to the best of my ability. Enjoy new yoga studios, maybe start swimming and enjoy good food as always. Love my body and love myself. Keep blogging my running chatter.
Friday, October 21, 2011
a month later and yes I still love running!
This past month has been a whirlwind of changes to my routine. With trips and Jeremiah home all the time it seems running took a back seat.. but my heart still loves it. I have done a few runs each week. Basically outisde when the weather is nice. It really has been amazing running weather. I am doing runs no longer than hour- but I am still " killing it" with a quick pace and great breathing. If anything I feel my rest days are beneficial and I am enjoying food a lot more! It feels nice to be out of " endurance training" but I also miss the intesity to it and I am learning to adjust. Last Saturday I sat home all day taking care of Jeremiah, drove to get pizza and movie and thats it. I have not had a day like in quite some time. I have been able to run with my friend kelly more and I really enjoy being able to watch someone grow and belive in themselves. I am thinking we should sign up for a late fall race... maybe a 10k or 8k? Something fun and something to do together as friends.
How has my fall been? Amazing. I have really enjoyed all the time with Jeremiah, friends, trips, good food, reading, and I am about to go on our yearly fall get-a-way trip. We will not be hiking and running, more just playing games by the fire. It will be good to getaway and have quiet alone time.
How has my fall been? Amazing. I have really enjoyed all the time with Jeremiah, friends, trips, good food, reading, and I am about to go on our yearly fall get-a-way trip. We will not be hiking and running, more just playing games by the fire. It will be good to getaway and have quiet alone time.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Lazy fall?
It is now 2 weeks since I completed my race, and I am officially losing motivation in running. Fall is here, J is on a new work schedule so he has weekends off and the yankees are in playoffs. I have true distractions from letting me run, but its my heart that is wanting it less and less. I have a few good workouts and I am a lot more random. J and I went for an hour walk on Wednesday and it was very strange to be walking on my running path. I ran a few miles on the treadmill and it just wasn't the same... its like running for short miles is not worth it to me. I am enjoying this new season but I have this fear when it comes time to train for a race I will be back at square one. Or will my body just bounce back and endurance take over again? I just love fall- cozy candles, home cooked meals, rainy days, dark afternoons and baseball playoffs. I am grateful I don't have weight to lose or cholesterol to lower but its hard to not feel lazy when in fact you are lazy. Is being lazy now working out 6 days a week as oppose to 7? What is lazy... gosh I need balance. The way I look at is I love spending time with Jeremiah more than anything and I should just enjoy it while I have it- even if he is my distraction I wouldn't want to spend fall with just my treadmill, the husband is way more interesting.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
The change up
Well it has been about 10 days since I ran my race, and it feels physically like it never happened. I would say on Tuesday was when I had this moment of freedom from training. That Monday the day after, I did my rowing machine and 90 minute yoga- so my body was still being worked, but Tuesday I decided not to run and instead ate two brownies and get a 60 minute massage. Wow that was quite a change in my routine! I felt free from my training and I am trying to stay focused on the big picture now. The training can bring out a little bit of my obsessive’s and desire to be the "best" , when I am just enjoying life its harder for me to decide " when should I run?, when should I rest? when should I ..." I refuse to let this laid back time confuse me. My goal of this time has been to learn to be more flexible and enjoy life. I do not want to say " I can't do that I HAVE to run 2 hours today" because I do not HAVE to do anything.. and its back to that moment where I am doing what I want, its hard figuring out what I want.
. I have a bike now, and I hope to just go for bike rides when I want, I joined a yoga studio, have a tennis date pending, I can run with friends more often now that I am not training and I can go on walks, or kayaking with my husband. I also joined another gym for 30 days where I can take different work out classes and learn to break out of my routine. I find that being in a routine is very safe place for me, but it also isn't the most enjoyable place. I was able to enjoy a weekend of a few runs and it felt amazing. I felt like I ran when I wanted to and I just felt free. I could not believe how I was very fast and had great pace- under 9 min avg. However I think it was just doing it on my own time that kept me smiling.
Let’s not be confused- I cannot wait to train for another half ( hopefully with Jeremiah this time- there is a Half in march in dc) but I want to just not be so obsessed with my running.. cause even if its a good healthy habit I can get obsessed and let it take me away from other parts of life that give me pleasure. They say people have a hard time when they are not training for a race... so far this is true but I am really focusing on enjoy it for what it is- so no complaints yet!
. I have a bike now, and I hope to just go for bike rides when I want, I joined a yoga studio, have a tennis date pending, I can run with friends more often now that I am not training and I can go on walks, or kayaking with my husband. I also joined another gym for 30 days where I can take different work out classes and learn to break out of my routine. I find that being in a routine is very safe place for me, but it also isn't the most enjoyable place. I was able to enjoy a weekend of a few runs and it felt amazing. I felt like I ran when I wanted to and I just felt free. I could not believe how I was very fast and had great pace- under 9 min avg. However I think it was just doing it on my own time that kept me smiling.
Let’s not be confused- I cannot wait to train for another half ( hopefully with Jeremiah this time- there is a Half in march in dc) but I want to just not be so obsessed with my running.. cause even if its a good healthy habit I can get obsessed and let it take me away from other parts of life that give me pleasure. They say people have a hard time when they are not training for a race... so far this is true but I am really focusing on enjoy it for what it is- so no complaints yet!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Joy and killing it!
Yes I killed it and yes I am glowing and still full of joy hours after. I am proud of myself and still in awe while realizing I am a changed person now. I feel you really can do more than you think you can, and I can do a lot physically- thus I have come a far way! I realized family love and support means the world to me and that I have an amazing family. I also have the best husband who is always full of encouragement and support and when he told me he got emotional during my race, I knew it was real for others and not just me.
Race weekend began with lots of anxiety, moods, excitement and loss of appetite. No sleep either. I woke up Saturday with a fast 20 minute run with the sun rising and thought " I can do this, and I will do this, look how far I have come and now its time to celebrate!". The family was up in Philly and ready to celebrate and it was quite the celebration. We got to have a birthday party, and I got my appetite back for dinner. I ate well and felt so good that I could finally calm down and eat. I also got in bed at 10pm witch was the goal. I woke up at 4:30am bouncing off the walls and ready to go ( I didn't have to get up till 5:30 but I just bounced out of bed). Jeremiah helped me with all me gear and I had this moment of realizing this is my race and I am a runner. Out in the morning it was cold but I knew I would warm up, at least I hoped. We stood in front of the famous rocky steps while listing to some Rock N' Roll and taking it all in. Then it was time to get in the Corral- I felt excited and nerves went away. When the horn went over I think I could have cried of joy but I just smiled and ran and gave my parents high fives. I was on full adrenaline for the first 5 miles. I saw the family at mile 4.5 and knew I had a killer pace. I was so ready.. then it got a little tougher when we were removed and not so many crowds. Lots of people were walking and I felt so far away. I told myself I have done this before I know I can do it, and I can REST later- pain is temporary. But I didn't really feel pain till after the race ( to be expected). I grabbed some "GU" a gel of calories, carbs and sugar at mile 8.5 and by mile 10 I was killing it. I was so ready to finish as I felt strong and fast. Mile 13 came fast and of course I sprinted to the finish! I saw the barricades of people and felt so much emotion as I ran fast to the " RUN BOO RUN" side the family held the whole race and got quite some play from the DJ as well. I felt I just did this and I still feel great! I had great breathing, great control and great weather. I could not have been more prepared. I had good nutrition and really trained hard. This was a goal I made believing I could do it- and I showed myself that trusting yourself can be hard during such intense training but in the end its that belief I made 2 months ago to sign up that drove me through the race. I knew I could do it 2 months ago- a lot less physically prepared why would I not do it now. I would and I did. Slash I killed it with joy!
Race weekend began with lots of anxiety, moods, excitement and loss of appetite. No sleep either. I woke up Saturday with a fast 20 minute run with the sun rising and thought " I can do this, and I will do this, look how far I have come and now its time to celebrate!". The family was up in Philly and ready to celebrate and it was quite the celebration. We got to have a birthday party, and I got my appetite back for dinner. I ate well and felt so good that I could finally calm down and eat. I also got in bed at 10pm witch was the goal. I woke up at 4:30am bouncing off the walls and ready to go ( I didn't have to get up till 5:30 but I just bounced out of bed). Jeremiah helped me with all me gear and I had this moment of realizing this is my race and I am a runner. Out in the morning it was cold but I knew I would warm up, at least I hoped. We stood in front of the famous rocky steps while listing to some Rock N' Roll and taking it all in. Then it was time to get in the Corral- I felt excited and nerves went away. When the horn went over I think I could have cried of joy but I just smiled and ran and gave my parents high fives. I was on full adrenaline for the first 5 miles. I saw the family at mile 4.5 and knew I had a killer pace. I was so ready.. then it got a little tougher when we were removed and not so many crowds. Lots of people were walking and I felt so far away. I told myself I have done this before I know I can do it, and I can REST later- pain is temporary. But I didn't really feel pain till after the race ( to be expected). I grabbed some "GU" a gel of calories, carbs and sugar at mile 8.5 and by mile 10 I was killing it. I was so ready to finish as I felt strong and fast. Mile 13 came fast and of course I sprinted to the finish! I saw the barricades of people and felt so much emotion as I ran fast to the " RUN BOO RUN" side the family held the whole race and got quite some play from the DJ as well. I felt I just did this and I still feel great! I had great breathing, great control and great weather. I could not have been more prepared. I had good nutrition and really trained hard. This was a goal I made believing I could do it- and I showed myself that trusting yourself can be hard during such intense training but in the end its that belief I made 2 months ago to sign up that drove me through the race. I knew I could do it 2 months ago- a lot less physically prepared why would I not do it now. I would and I did. Slash I killed it with joy!
Friday, September 16, 2011
Just one 20 minute run between me and race day
Crazy I have not ran just 20 minutes in a long time.. maybe since February? I can't even picture it. Running this week as been very strange, feeling excited/nervous/moody/food confusion all week. I am so off my rocker. Not quite what I pictured feeling- but I guess its hard to have expectations for something you never did before? Last week I finished strong, which was my goal and this week I am trying to stay strong mentally and emotionally as I know that’s what really will get me through the race.
With a few short runs this week, no music and drinks I increased my average pace to 9:30. This scares me because I am afraid I may go to fast at the beginning of the race and break down.. I guess that is my big fear right? Fear of failure!!! Yea I don't have that issue with fear of success just of failure. Here I go to Philly to prove my fear wrong. I hope to just sit back and let my body do its magic while I enjoy the accomplishment of completing my goal. I hope to enjoy my family’s support and be grateful for them. I hope to be healthy and strong. I hope to not freak out about the crowds of people I understand myself centered fear is not a reality. I hope hope hope to kill it at the race, and I hope to have fun!
With a few short runs this week, no music and drinks I increased my average pace to 9:30. This scares me because I am afraid I may go to fast at the beginning of the race and break down.. I guess that is my big fear right? Fear of failure!!! Yea I don't have that issue with fear of success just of failure. Here I go to Philly to prove my fear wrong. I hope to just sit back and let my body do its magic while I enjoy the accomplishment of completing my goal. I hope to enjoy my family’s support and be grateful for them. I hope to be healthy and strong. I hope to not freak out about the crowds of people I understand myself centered fear is not a reality. I hope hope hope to kill it at the race, and I hope to have fun!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)